Japan is the defending WBC champion and has won its first two games, led by the best player in MLB and one of the top starting pitchers.
It will be a heavy favorite in Sunday's game against Australia, but the game won't be the walkover the lines suggest.
Find out more in my Australia vs. Japan predictions and World Baseball Classic best bets for March 8.
Australia vs Japan prediction
Australia vs Japan best bet: Australia moneyline (6¢ at Kalshi)
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Team Japan are marquee names, with plenty of novice money supporting them. Australia is an up-and-coming team packed with talented youngsters.
Robbie Glendinning, hero of the 2023 WBC (.300, .991 OPS), has just one plate appearance so far, with a deeper, dangerous Aussie lineup. Travis Bazzana, 2024's top draft pick and Rays prospect Curtis Mead both have homers and OPS' over .900 in this year's WBC.
Japan isn't starting Yamamoto but 36-year-old Tomoyuki Sugano, a homer-prone pitcher who doesn't strike many out. Australia is more than worthy of a flier.
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Australia vs Japan players to watch
Can Australia stop Shohei Ohtani by giving him a taste of his own medicine, starting a two-way player of its own?
Unfortunately, Connor MacDonald isn't quite a poor man's Ohtani, however. He was released after hitting .187 as a corner outfielder in Low A for the Houston Astros organization in 2017.
He's now trying to revive his career as a pitcher and had a 6.23 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in the Aussie League last season. He gets the ball for Australia to face Ohtani, who is 5-for-6 in two WBC games with a pair of home runs.
Australia vs Japan opening odds
- Moneyline: Australia 15¢ | Japan 97¢
- Run line: Australia +1.5 | Japan -1.5
- Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
How to watch Australia vs Japan and game info
| Location | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan |
| Date | Sunday, March 8, 2026 |
| First pitch | 6:00 a.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
| Australia starting pitcher | Connor MacDonald |
| Japan starting pitcher | Tomoyuki Sugano |
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